Cut-in: Use a pastry blender or quick fingers to work in butter until lumps range from crumbs to small peas.

Toss: Drizzle in all but 1 tablespoon cream. Toss with a fork until dough clumps.

Cut: Turn out clumps onto a work surface. Knead a few seconds to get the dough to hold together. Pat into a 2cm-thick square, about 20cm across. Use a heavy knife to cut into eight 10cm by 5cm rectangles.

Bake: Set biscuits on a baking sheet, allowing them some elbow room. Brush tops with the remaining cream. Slide into a 210°C oven and bake until golden brown, about 17 minutes. Don’t fret over their looks; shortcake is no beauty pageant.

Serve: Use a fork to poke biscuits along their perimeters and open, English-muffin style, while still warm. Spoon strawberries and their juices onto bottom halves. Crown with biscuit tops. Lavish with whipped cream. Enjoy.